170!!!!

So I am finally at 170lbs and I feel GREAT. Not just because of the weight loss, but I was able to half way run a 5k walk this past weekend and I did a hill interval on the treadmill (might seem small, but I know where I am coming from :) ). I really want to go below 170 by Oct 1, lets see how it goes. I don't plan to over-exercise just to get there. I'm just going to be responsible with my eating and keep exercising...I really want to make this a part of my life. It is looking like we can hit 159 by November. Ok, so why am I focusing so much on numbers instead of other things....I'll tell ya, numbers for me are like a re-assurance that my hard work is really panning out well.

I am doing a lot of resistance band weight training and calisthenics with my body weight...I am not against free weights and weight machines but I find that I don't do enough reps with those. I push myself harder with my resistance bands and body weight because I know I don't have that assistance (a mental thing for me I guess).

This weekend, I sorta pigged out (had Ghana bread :p and cajun...but the cajun was smaller than usual so I am still happy). I know my metabolism is working well because if I don't eat enough on a particular day, I feel very weak and I can tell my body starts moving into starvation mode.

Ok, its time for me to get back to my work but I just had to take a second to "talk" about my recent triumph.

My new goals...aside from dropping some poundage
Work on my belly (not with crunches et al, by walking and trying to run). My stomach flab is definitely shrinking...I look better in my tops and I can actually hold it in for an exxxxtended period of time and the rolls (sorry to gross you out) are almost gone.

Try to run/jog longer

Walk more around campus

Do interval exercises on machine as opposed to just manual (Intervals are tush-kickers)

Of course eat better...I am really proud of how far I have come with my eating but I know I can do better.

Well, I'm really getting back to my work now. Ciao

GOAL SETTING

I understand that saying I am going to lose x number of pounds in n number of days might seem overwhelming at times. I heard something in class about breaking goals into smaller pieces to make them seem achievable. Smaller goals also help you assess what you are doing right and wrong and make necessary changes....so here goes,

Big goal-Lose weight

Small weekly goals
Exercise daily by waking up and heading to gym at 5:50am
Pack breakfast and lunch...and on Tuesdays (dinner)
Snack on fruits and veggies
Keep drinking water
Portion Portion Portion
Understand, that cheese cake will not do me any good :(
Know when to eat and when to stop

I will keep adding but I feel these goals will be good to start me off.

Its a new day....

I haven't blogged in a number of days but I am back with updates. It has been that time so I have been extremely tired. I worked out faithfully and I am proud of that. Eating was a struggle, I gave into a chinese food craving and a cheesecake craving. I felt horrible afterward but I also learnt how to use oranges to curb my sweet tooth craving.
To be honest with you, I feel very good. My jeans are soooo baggy..my rolls are disappearing. I havent weighed myself but I feel great and thats what matters. For exercise, my sister showed me this interval training thing that kicks your behind on the elliptical or treadmill. Did some good calisthenics that also kicked my tuckus.
I did not get to work out today bcos I was running around looking for fuel and trying to get to class on time. I hope to continue the coming week with early morning exercise and good eating. Catch you later..........

Mentally and physically rewarding.....

Today was great, I exercised before the crack of dawn. I am so proud of refusing to continue pressing the snooze button. I woke up, got dressed...went out in the rain :) and got my workout on. It felt good, even though it was just for 35 mins(it was an intense 35mins)...I felt so good. I also walked for 30mins after work and I am so excited. I had a heavy breakfast, pretty light lunch and an ok dinner. I will prep my breakfast and lunch for tomorrow so I wont get myself in trouble again. I am liking this and I am just excited that this lifestyle is starting to set in. More power to all of you out there trying to get on track. The journey is tough but it is worthwhile. Mentally and physically rewarding process. Take care and have a good night.

Recap of 09-09-08

...Let's look at how I ate today

I had eggs and two slices of wheat toast for breakfast and a medium sized yogurt with rasberry and strawberry(fresh)(8:30am)

Lunch was a chicken ceasar salad with half a small satchet of ceasar dressing and no cheese(11 something am)

Afternoon snack was the 100 calorie pop corn bag(1) at 2pm

In class snack was a granola bar and some water(early evening) 5pm

Dinner(which I should have left alone)...Egg wrap(wheat), this was where everything went wrong. I ate the wrap and then warmed up another wrap(without the eggs) and then my greek yogurt(so I packed on about 500 calories for dinner, not a big counter but sometimes I keep watch). 8:30pm

I didnt do too bad food wise but I did go overboard with dinner. I will do better tomorrow by His Grace :)

I woke up at 5:30am and headed to the gym, was scared that I would be wiped out all day but I am/was very energized and I didn't feel as hungry throughout the day. Lets hope for a better day tomorrow. Have a great day!!!

The process

I will not bore you with the do's and don'ts of adopting a healthy lifestyle...there are 50million websites on the internet for that. I'm just going to share what I have been doing so far and plan to do ongoing. The one thing I want to avoid is rapidly losing all the weight and missing the goal of getting healthy. I want to adopt this lifestyle and stick to it(the best I can).

Eating
The 80:20 rule applies here, eating is the biggest part of weightloss...in my opinion. The calories in part can make or break your goal so it is important to make healthy changes to your diet. If you drink soda/pop/minerals(lol, i.e. fanta, coke), cut down on all that. Its extra sugar that does nothing for you. I am not an advocate for deprivation but you have to put your foot down with somethings. Pastries should be thought of as a luxury and white bread, rice etc should be eaten in moderation(not everyone has access to wheat and whole grains but if you do I strongly advice).

Exercising
I subscribe to an hourly workout seven days a week. When I get to maintenance stage, I might cut back but for now its 45 mins of cardio and the rest goes to calisthenics(situps..etc). I always take time out to stretch properly, it relieves my stresses and also helps create lean muscle. I also try to walk everywhere I can...that little 10-15 min walk to the office/class/wherever definitely adds up.

My routine
Wake up and head off to gym for 6am workout on weekdays...weekends are a little later in the morning. I find that working out in the morning helps me make better food choices and reduces the chance of skipping workouts. By doing this, I have taught myself to plan ahead for EVERYTHING. Meals...homework...everything. Ofcourse, there are days that things might pop up but I try to stick to this routine.

My meals
I am struggling :( with my eating habits, I am definitely doing better than before but it is taking everything in me to stop my consistent munching. I have cut down my portions and started eating 4-5 times a day(meaning smallerrrr portions). This way I am not as hungry. Trying to reduce my sugar intake, fruits are a good way to gut a sugar craving so try strawberries, bananas, pineapples or even apples.
I like to snack on those 100 calorie popcorn packs(see the shock on my face when I saw how tiny the bags were). Apples, non fat organic yogurt, carrots and I drink A LOT of water...it does wonders for your digestive system and your skin.

The Get Right Challenge!!

This is my first attempt at blogging and I am excited to share this important journey I am undertaking. It will be a good way to be held accountable since I have broadcasted my ordeal to the whole world :).

I want to use this opportunity to get healthier and lose some pounds. God has blessed me with so many wonderful opportunities and I know how feeling your best can translate to the work you do. I want to use this medium to practice my writing skills(I write a lot of papers) and share my trials, successes and some tips with those who might need a bump from a regular person like them who is trying to get healthy and lose some weight.

Please keep in mind, the eating tips, exercise tips and all others are things that work for me. You can tailor them to suit you. Feel free to leave comments or suggestions.